Community meetings for CCSD to talk about budget cuts

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Leah Waters and other first-year teachers are playing the waiting game to see if they will continue to be employed with the Charleston County School District next year.

"I want to be able to do what I went to school for the last four years and do what I dreamed of since I was a little girl," Waters said.

Parents are also concerned how the budget will affect their children.

"Are they going to increase class sizes? more money has come out of parents pockets I just want to know what's going on," said parent Elaine Nelson.

"We have not made any final decisions regarding staffing. We are going to do what we can to keep all of our teachers, but depending on what goes on in Columbia will dictate what we are able to do here," said Charleston County School District board chairman Chris Fraser.

Fraser says these community meetings are key.

"By allowing people to walk through the process like we have hopefully that will get more community engagement and they will have a greater understanding," Fraser said.

Nelson, who has a child in the district, agrees.

"It's very important to see what's going on with their school life and how it will affect the parent as well," Nelson said.

So far, first-year, retired, visiting international faculty and teachers who have not taught in Charleston for a full year, have not received their contracts.

Teachers in hard to fill areas like math, science and foreign languages will get contracts. Teachers who demonstrate effective teaching will also receive contracts.

Fraser says that some of the teacher's who don't meet those conditions may still be offered a contract for next year.

The cuts made by the board since February have added up to $10 million leaving the district with $18 million more to slice away.